The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-03-25

IHd9Seo AOa my SiHAul SOuA1 Du' SAo
money"
THE money, Mary. It's here"
touching his pocket, " aye, II 1t was
twiste as much-it's here. But how
will 1 know that the masses is accepted.
an that yen be let into heaven?"
The figure began TO fade away, and the
voice was fainter.
IF l am forgiven, the night after the
second mass is said for me I'll come to
you in the form of white bird, an I'll
stand in the window, at the foot Of your
bed, an sing you beautiful hymn be-
fore fly away to heaven"
The voice died away softly, and just
as they reached the fax mill the figure
disappeared. Weary though league was
that night he went straight to the
priest after supper and told him the
strange tale.
Father Dan took the money and
promised to say the masses, encouraging
league to hope that all would be well
with Mary.
Come back an tell me II she appears
to you again, said he.
Some days later he had a second visit
from league.
Well, my good man. ." he began, "did
you get any word from that poor
soul?"
Il did, your reverence did"
''An' how is 1t wi her nOwP"
Thanks be to your reverence an the
Lord, she's got to her rest nowi 1t was
in the night time an l was lying on
my bed wi the blessed rosary in my
hands, pTayin' constant, when l heard
the flutterin O wings at the window, an
then a beautiful hymn, like ane o
them hymns that is sung in the chapel
on Easter Day, was sung, an SO 1
knOwed Mary was going to heaven"
Did she speak, Teague?"
"Feen a word! The hymn sounded
fainter an fainter, till it was like wee
gentle sound O. wind on the Lough, an
was content in my mind to think that
Mary was at her rest"
The flax mill on the Mulroy road was
the scene Of another ghostly appearance.
The reader must transport himself in
Imagination across the ferry opposite
the mill to the farms lying beneath the
hills, from whence there was a good view
Of league and Mary's house and the
wild range of mountains behind it.
Rose Dillon was the pTettiest girl in
the whole country, and she had many
admirers among the rich farmers-any
one Of whom would have pleased her
parents better than the suitor she
chose.
James Maiilton was handsome young
man. but he was not rich-he had only
the fax mill and a poor small farm
and three COWS. How vexatious it was
that Rose should set her affections upon
him, when she could have been mistress
OF slated house and IA COWS.
Father Dan was entrcated to use his
influence. and he did say a word or two,
representing the worldly advantages Of
Mike and Sam, Teddy and John. But it
was all to no purpose. Rose blusked
and persisted in clinging to James.
Put your commands on her, your rcv-
erence; she wilma go against the
church" her father said.
ono that ia not 10 ba doDa -
piled the priest. james is a good boy,
he pays his dues regular, an is diligent
at his duty, an Obedient to his church.
He deserves a good wife. Let Rose
have him"
After that opposition ceased Of course,
and a day was fixed for the wedding
Plenty Of cOrned beefand cabbage, bacon
and eggs, tea and whisky were provided:
two fiddlers were engaged; the neighbors
were invited to the feast; and all was
going merry as a marriage bell, when
James was taken suddenly ILL., The
priest was sent for, and then a messen-
ger went across the ferry to summon
Rose.
Alas there was no time to say fare
we'll James was unconscious when
Rose reached his bedside. To describe
her wild grief would be impossible.
Hanging over the corpse, she let her
tears rain upon his placid face. unhced-
ing the grave reproofs of the women.
Why do you be cryin' that way, Rose
Dillon? Sure you know that your la
mentin will keep him frae his rest"
They alluded to the belief that the in
ordinate grief OF survivors troubles the
departed soul, and weighs it down so
that it is unable to soar toward hea-
ven.
"wad ye keep the poor fellow hyin'
about the world?" asked her grand
mother, who had been brought across
the ferry to attend the wake. Sure,
sure We wouldna be that cruel to the
poor boy that loved ye true? Lay back
thon sheet, girl, an drop nae mair tears
over him. I ha knowed it done"
And then followed long list of exam
pies, the experience of close upon so
years.
The wake house." as the mill was
called, while James lay there holding his
last party, was quite full, and mon and
women listened to Grannie Dillon res
pectfully, shaking their heads gravely
and utCering many an "Och, hook and
Alaise-a-me - the while.
There was good cheer at this last en-
tertainment of ess-his cousins had
seen to that. Tea and bread and butter
and whisky were provided in abundance.
and there were plates of cut tobacco,
bundles of clean pipes, and supplies of
snuff for all comers.
The visitors went one by one over to
the bed, and turning down the sheet,
took last look at the corpse
James was laid to rest in the chapel
graveyard at the edge of Muroy, and the
plover and curlew circled over his head,
and the work of the world went on as
before.
It happened that Roses father fol-
lowed her down to the ferry one evening
and found her gazing at the fax mill so
flxedly that she did nothear his footsteps.
What is it you see there. girl2" he
asked.
"Oh, father, do you no seer"
Matching ava, Rose"
Its James that's standin' yonder on
the shore lookin' over at me. an whiles
he lifts his hand an waves to me. He's
there every evenin an l still come here
to meet him. It's the only tryst we can
hold NOW"
She faded away from that time; and
although James visited the mill no more,
it was believed he was beckoning to her.
A year had not passed before the
| crones, meeting one another said:
DO you know that I'm just done
hearing? Rose Dillon's got to her rest =
1t was true. The chapel bell was
knelling for her; she was gone to meet
James upon the further shore.